Step-free access at Harrow-on-the-Hill station could soon be a reality, says Mayor of London Boris Johnson

The Mayor of London has made a U-turn on his decision not to install step-free access at a Harrow station.

Harrow Borough Council has earmarked £3.1million for a joint feasibility study with Boris Johnson’s office and Transport for London (TfL) at Harrow-on-the-Hill station

Campaigners have been calling for lifts at the station for years - but the Mayor maintained it would not be possible due to cost.

Now a new study will look at how the station, which can only be accessed by a steep flight of stairs, could be made more accessible for all travellers.

Mr Johnson said: “London now has one of the most accessible public transport networks in the world and we’re continuing to invest hundreds of millions of pounds to ensure that we take it to the next level.

“It is therefore only right that we explore the possibility of Harrow-on-the-Hill joining the many other step-free Tube and rail stations across the capital.”

The mayor identified Harrow as a “growth area” in a recent report, which also says 2,800 new homes and 3,000 jobs could be created in Harrow & Wealdstone in the next 15 years.

Last November, council leader Cllr Susan Hall took London’s Deputy Mayor for planning, Sir Edward Lister, on a tour around the station to make the case for modernising the site.

She said: “We have lobbied hard for step-free access at the station for some while. The announcement of this joint business plan is the clearest evidence yet of a compelling case for it.

“We need to make our town centre as welcoming and accessible as possible, and the authority is prepared to up more than £3 million to make this happen.

“I am confident this study will bring back a positive verdict and we can press on with making this a reality.”

Last year, Cllr Johnson revealed the name of 28 stations that will be made step free by 2021 - but Harrow-on-the-Hill was not named on the list.

He then promised to install lifts in the station by 2031 - much to the dismay of disabled campaigners across the borough.

Harrow resident Helen Dashwood is one of the campaigners for step-free access. She said: “I am delighted by this news, but I hope he makes good on this promise.”

Comments

The disabled don't need step free access at Harrow on the Hill station given the large number of disabled badge holders parking in the vicinity who can only be there to use the train services.

The disabled don't need step free access at Harrow on the Hill station given the large number of disabled badge holders parking in the vicinity who can only be there to use the train services.SeaBee

The disabled don't need step free access at Harrow on the Hill station given the large number of disabled badge holders parking in the vicinity who can only be there to use the train services.

Score: -6

Anthony Harrow
6:33am Fri 14 Feb 14

Why Waste that amount on a Study that is OBSCENE!! JUST DO IT
It takes me nearly 1.5 minutes to get up the stairs

Why Waste that amount on a Study that is OBSCENE!! JUST DO IT
It takes me nearly 1.5 minutes to get up the stairsAnthony Harrow

Why Waste that amount on a Study that is OBSCENE!! JUST DO IT
It takes me nearly 1.5 minutes to get up the stairs

Score: 2

Anthony Harrow
6:34am Fri 14 Feb 14

and that is before the struggle to get down to the Platforms

and that is before the struggle to get down to the PlatformsAnthony Harrow

and that is before the struggle to get down to the Platforms

Score: 2

julieanddave
11:46am Sat 15 Feb 14

its a pain climbing these steps specially with suitcases

its a pain climbing these steps specially with suitcasesjulieanddave

its a pain climbing these steps specially with suitcases

Score: 3

Cllr Susan Hall
5:48pm Sat 15 Feb 14

Anthony Harrow - So you do not want to explore the best way of dealing with this? The possibility of planning something that will bring in investment to make it happen? The last quote was 35 million for lifts throughout - we need to be more imaginative to make it a more modern station with access to all platforms and outside. AA resident has also asked for information boards etc We are working hard on this and at least we are now making progress. After everyone understandably saying they wanted something to happen we must make sure it does in an appropriate way. See Bee - hate to agree with you but that is an area we often find abuse of Blue Badges as you may have picked up I have made sure there is more funding for an extra 2 Fraud Officers to combat this terrible fraud.

Anthony Harrow - So you do not want to explore the best way of dealing with this? The possibility of planning something that will bring in investment to make it happen? The last quote was 35 million for lifts throughout - we need to be more imaginative to make it a more modern station with access to all platforms and outside. AA resident has also asked for information boards etc We are working hard on this and at least we are now making progress. After everyone understandably saying they wanted something to happen we must make sure it does in an appropriate way. See Bee - hate to agree with you but that is an area we often find abuse of Blue Badges as you may have picked up I have made sure there is more funding for an extra 2 Fraud Officers to combat this terrible fraud.Cllr Susan Hall

Anthony Harrow - So you do not want to explore the best way of dealing with this? The possibility of planning something that will bring in investment to make it happen? The last quote was 35 million for lifts throughout - we need to be more imaginative to make it a more modern station with access to all platforms and outside. AA resident has also asked for information boards etc We are working hard on this and at least we are now making progress. After everyone understandably saying they wanted something to happen we must make sure it does in an appropriate way. See Bee - hate to agree with you but that is an area we often find abuse of Blue Badges as you may have picked up I have made sure there is more funding for an extra 2 Fraud Officers to combat this terrible fraud.

Score: -2

Anthony Harrow
9:21am Sun 16 Feb 14

Cllr Susan Hall wrote…

Anthony Harrow - So you do not want to explore the best way of dealing with this? The possibility of planning something that will bring in investment to make it happen? The last quote was 35 million for lifts throughout - we need to be more imaginative to make it a more modern station with access to all platforms and outside. AA resident has also asked for information boards etc We are working hard on this and at least we are now making progress. After everyone understandably saying they wanted something to happen we must make sure it does in an appropriate way. See Bee - hate to agree with you but that is an area we often find abuse of Blue Badges as you may have picked up I have made sure there is more funding for an extra 2 Fraud Officers to combat this terrible fraud.

£3.1 Million Just where do these figures come from!!!!? IT IS OBSCENE in the age of austerity.

I understand the need to find the best solution, but the proposed £3.1 Million appears excessive when this amount could be contributed to the Overall cost!
Has this Figure been Fully Scrutinised!?
My Simplistic View:-
1. Original Plans for the station
2. A Surveyor.
3.An Architect
How does that add up to £3.1 Million?

[quote][p][bold]Cllr Susan Hall[/bold] wrote:
Anthony Harrow - So you do not want to explore the best way of dealing with this? The possibility of planning something that will bring in investment to make it happen? The last quote was 35 million for lifts throughout - we need to be more imaginative to make it a more modern station with access to all platforms and outside. AA resident has also asked for information boards etc We are working hard on this and at least we are now making progress. After everyone understandably saying they wanted something to happen we must make sure it does in an appropriate way. See Bee - hate to agree with you but that is an area we often find abuse of Blue Badges as you may have picked up I have made sure there is more funding for an extra 2 Fraud Officers to combat this terrible fraud.[/p][/quote]£3.1 Million Just where do these figures come from!!!!? IT IS OBSCENE in the age of austerity.
I understand the need to find the best solution, but the proposed £3.1 Million appears excessive when this amount could be contributed to the Overall cost!
Has this Figure been Fully Scrutinised!?
My Simplistic View:-
1. Original Plans for the station
2. A Surveyor.
3.An Architect
How does that add up to £3.1 Million?Anthony Harrow

Cllr Susan Hall wrote…

Anthony Harrow - So you do not want to explore the best way of dealing with this? The possibility of planning something that will bring in investment to make it happen? The last quote was 35 million for lifts throughout - we need to be more imaginative to make it a more modern station with access to all platforms and outside. AA resident has also asked for information boards etc We are working hard on this and at least we are now making progress. After everyone understandably saying they wanted something to happen we must make sure it does in an appropriate way. See Bee - hate to agree with you but that is an area we often find abuse of Blue Badges as you may have picked up I have made sure there is more funding for an extra 2 Fraud Officers to combat this terrible fraud.

£3.1 Million Just where do these figures come from!!!!? IT IS OBSCENE in the age of austerity.

I understand the need to find the best solution, but the proposed £3.1 Million appears excessive when this amount could be contributed to the Overall cost!
Has this Figure been Fully Scrutinised!?
My Simplistic View:-
1. Original Plans for the station
2. A Surveyor.
3.An Architect
How does that add up to £3.1 Million?

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